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Leadership Biographies


Randy Moore

Chief

A picture of Forest Service Chief Randy Moore.

Randy Moore is Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, leading a workforce of more than 31,000 employees who sustainably manage 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands, support the world’s largest forestry research organization, and work with states, Tribes and partners to sustain all of America’s forests for the benefit of all citizens, today and in the future. Under his leadership, the Forest Service cares for natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological and social vitality for current and future generations. 

Chief Moore has been a catalyst for change throughout his 45-year career. As Chief, he contributes to our nation’s most pressing challenges: tackling climate change, advancing racial equity and helping the people we serve recover and heal from the global pandemic by connecting them with our treasured public lands. He is committed to seeking new and better ways to address the many issues facing our ecosystems, our communities and our employees. 

Chief Moore believes strongly that a leader must adapt and grow, but that there are some principles that always hold true: A leader must be fair, inclusive, and willing to listen to and trust his employees. He is committed to the Forest Service mission, distilling it to its core of improving forest and grassland conditions by bringing together partners from Tribes, state and local governments, communities, and nonprofit and private sector interests. 

Prior to serving as Chief, he served as Pacific Southwest regional forester from 2007 to 2021, where he was responsible for 18 national forests in California, covering one-fifth of the state on 20 million acres of land. He also oversaw State & Private Forestry programs in Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. Chief Moore served as regional forester for the Eastern Region in Wisconsin, forest supervisor for Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri and in myriad other roles throughout the agency. He began his 45-year career in 1978 with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota and joined the Forest Service in 1981. 

A native of Bastrop, Louisiana, Chief Moore earned his bachelor’s degree in plant and soil science from Southern University. He and his wife Antoinette have two sons, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren.

Angela Coleman

Associate Chief

Angela Coleman

Angela Coleman serves as the Associate Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. Prior to this assignment, she served as Forest Service Chief of Staff beginning in 2015, where she oversaw the Chief’s Office daily operations and staff, issues management, and Office of Communication and Legislative Affairs programs. She provided senior-level support to the Chief of the agency and the Executive Leadership Team to advance and deliver the agency’s natural resource conservation mission.

Angela has served in numerous leadership roles with the Forest Service, to include Washington Office roles as associate deputy chief of Business Operations, and associate deputy chief of Research and Development. Before that, she served as deputy regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Region for national forests located in California and parts of Nevada. She also served for 7 years as regional communications director for the Southern Region in Atlanta. A native of Phenix City, AL, Angela has amassed more than 27 years with the Forest Service. She launched her career as a professional journalist with news media conglomerate Knight-Ridder, serving as a news reporter for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

Angela has served as a member of both the natural resource conservation and communications communities, including the National Wild Turkey Federation and Sigma Delta Chi Society of Professional Journalists. She is currently a member of the World Forestry Congress. A summa cum laude graduate of Troy University, she completed postgraduate course work at American University in Washington, DC. She also served as a Senior Executive Fellow for Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. In 2010, Angela was sworn in as a member of the Senior Executive Service.

 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/newsroom/leadership-biographies